1. Community
  2. Operations and surgical procedures
  3. Hip Replacement

I have my life back!

Posted , 6 users are following.

val14381
val14381

I can't believe my first post on here,12 weeks ago, was about how scared I was of having a thr. I didn't want an op but couldn't continue in the amount of pain I was in. The response I got from others who had already had it helped me enormously.

Fast forward 1 week. Op was a breeze! Had a spinal & drugs which kept me sane although I was awake throughout most of the op. Back home after 4 days, no complications. 

Fast forward 11 weeks, no pain,no crutches or stick. Can walk without limping most of the time. Today I have been to the gym, something I thought I may have to give up. 

For anyone who is contemplating having this op, there is only one cure. Painkillers only mask the pain, if you're lucky! 

Recovery isn't a walk in the park but a few weeks are a small price to pay to get your life back.

good luck to anyone who has to make that decision but it's the best thing I have ever done.x

4 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • rosie86947
    rosie86947 val14381

    Posted

    Thanks for your inspiring words Val - can't wait till I can say the same - I want my life back!
    • val14381
      val14381 rosie86947

      Posted

      I had so much help from people on this forum, no-one else really understands what it's like to be in constant pain.

      i can't believe how much better it is afterwards. Hope it will be the same for you.

      do you have your date yet?

    • rosie86947
      rosie86947 val14381

      Posted

      No unfortunately not! My surgeon told me 3-4months when I saw him in February. His secretary told me 5 months. The nurse at my pre-op at the end of March told be no more than 12 weeks from pre-op! It would be so much easier to cope if I knew how long I have to cope for but they just don't seem to care. So glad I found this forum - it does help to know that some are in the same frustrating boat and others have successfully come out the other side!
    • val14381
      val14381 rosie86947

      Posted

      I would keep phoning them as they do have ops cancelled for various different reasons. Just remember that most of us come out the other side ok!

      I will keep my fingers crossed for an early date for you.x

    • emma54673
      emma54673 rosie86947

      Posted

      Rosie I was the same, nobody could give me a direct answer to how long. Take a look on your hospitals website and see what the waiting time is. When it gets within 1 week of that time contact the orthopaedic booking line, they will be able to say if your name is down for a date. If it isn't contact your patient advice liaison team. I did this. My surgeon said 19 weeks. The website said 19 weeks. From 3 weeks before 19 weeks I kept phoning for a date but just kept getting told, it's not this month, it might be next. Then o looked on website and the waiting time had gone down to 8 weeks so I contacted patient advice liaise PALs team.all I wanted was a date so there was a light at the end of tunnel. Within 24 hours I was given a date for in 6 weeks time. I didn't mind that it was 6 weeks away as at least there was a date to work towards. I'm now 6 weeks post lthr. It's definitely the few extra phone calls. Emma x
    • rosie86947
      rosie86947 emma54673

      Posted

      I wonder where you live Emma? There doesn't seem to be a waiting list on the hospital website. I'm in Scotland so may be different?
  • mary5832
    mary5832 val14381

    Posted

    Thanks for your reasuriing letter!  I know it will help many people.

    Good Luck and continued success!

     

    • val14381
      val14381 mary5832

      Posted

      Hi Mary

      hope you are recovering well too.

      love Val.x

    • mary5832
      mary5832 val14381

      Posted

      I have no pain!  But, I still walk with aid of a walker and if I try it on my own I am lurching. ??  I hope I do better than that, I've had a limp since 1981.

      Wishing yhou , continued success

       

  • susan52056
    susan52056 val14381

    Posted

    Well said Val. I'm now 14 weeks post op, back to work and feel great. Leg does still ache sometimes and then I just rest. This has really made me listen to my body, we're not all the same and recovery is different for everyone so just listen to your own body and you'll be fine

    Sue xxx

    • val14381
      val14381 susan52056

      Posted

      Hi Sue. So glad you are doing ok too. I wonder if the aching we feel will ever go away, but I am just so thankful to be rid of the awful pain I had pre op. 

      Good luck with your continued recovery.x

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.